Universal Apps Converge Windows, Windows Phone

Architectural, tooling, and store enhancements enable a strategy called Universal Apps, which can reduce platform-specific and redundant effort when developing and publishing an application that runs on both Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1. The enhancements could lower barriers to cross-platform development by allowing transfer of code and skills across Windows platforms while helping developers deliver applications to users on more devices. For example, line-of-business applications developed for Windows tablets can be built for Windows Phone devices with less effort than previously. However, the Windows and Windows Phone platforms retain differences that require developer attention.

Universal Apps a Strategy, Not Type of Application

Microsoft announced the concept of Windows Universal Apps at its Build conference in Apr. 2014. The name may suggest a new type of compiled application binary that can be reused across Windows platforms. However, it instead signifies changes intended to help developers reuse and better organize code when targeting both Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 and changes that will help publishers unify application acquisition and use on the two platforms, which continue to present independent application stores.